Countdown to one of our favorite festivals of the spring: One week. Artisphere, presented by TD Bank, is back next weekend (Fri., May 6-Sun., May 8), and we have all the deets. One big thing to note about the 2022 version of the annual arts + culture fest: It’s back to being free with a full festival footprint (read: programming is back to its full capacity). 🙌

Just like past years, Artisphere 2022 has a schedule packed full of activities and entertainment. In addition to shopping the works of 100+ local and national artists, attendees can enjoy live music, art demos, crafts + activities for the kids, and more.

Here are a few Artisphere gems to have on your radar before you head through the festival gates:

GE Artist Row

Admire the work of 135 visual artists — and maybe score the perfect gift for Mother’s Day (or for yourself). Want a sneak peek? See all participating artists. (New + notable this year: 37 artists are making their Artisphere debuts. Meet them here.)

Artist Glory Day Loflin, seen here at Oyé Studios, prepares her work for last year’s Artisphere (and you can catch her this year too). | Photo via @glorydayloflin, by Rony Rivera

Truist Arts and Drafts

New this year, Arts and Drafts invites guests to grab a beer on Broad St. while watching live, large-scale painting. Meet the muralists.

Live music + performing arts

This year, Artisphere is offering a vast range of live music, theatre, and dance performances, from the WYFF 4 Main Stage to the Furman University Performance Plaza. Check out the full schedule. (New + notable this year: Headliners Aztec Sun and Ali McGuirk — as well as the High Divers, who were originally booked in 2020.)

Catch live music, theatre performances + more during Artisphere. | Photo via Artisphere

Bank of America Art Lab

The Art Center of Clemson will be offering free, hands-on, artist-led demonstrations throughout the festival where attendees can learn to make handcrafted earrings, try wheel throwing with clay, create macrame plant hangers + more. See workshops + sign up. (Class size is limited with classes available on a first come, first served basis, so be sure to sign up early.)

Kidsphere

Spinx Kidsphere Arts & Crafts invites budding artists to create their own original artwork, while Legacy Early College Kidsphere Music will lead children through musical instrument + theatre costume exploration, with parades happening Friday at 3:30 p.m., Saturday at 12:45 p.m. and 5:15 p.m., and Sunday at 2:45 p.m. See activities + locations.

Clemson STEAM Exhibit

Faculty, students, and staff will showcase the intersection of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) with interactive displays, demonstrations, and activities. Learn what they’ll be showcasing.

Sidewalk and street art

Make sure to look down as you stroll through the festival so you don’t miss the 3D chalk murals and whimsical sidewalk chalk paintings. Meet 3D chalk artist David Zinn, who will also be hosting a book signing for his new book, Chance Encounters: Temporary Street Art, at M.Judson Booksellers on Thurs., May 5 from 5:30-7 p.m.

Pinnacle Financial Partners Demo Row

Watch expert artists at work as they create handcrafted goods, from glassblowing to metalworking to weaving. Meet the makers. (New + notable this year: Check out the Warped Fiber Artists of the Foothills, a group of Upstate weavers and spinners.)

The food and drink options at Artisphere will keep your taste buds happy. | Photo by @mrs_e_mo

Wells Fargo Culinary Arts Cafe

Food and drink are back this year, and local Greenville favorites will be lined up on Main Street with their best dishes, from award-winning favorites to unique bites crafted for the festival. See participating restaurants + menus.

Attendees can enjoy Artisphere from 12-8 p.m. on Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on Saturday, and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sunday. It’s all going down from the intersection of Court St. and Main St. (in front of M.Judson) to the intersection of Wardlaw St. and Main. See you there, GVL.*

Poll:

What part of Artisphere are you most excited for? Tell us here.